News
The Sixth Form have been involved in the following events this year so far:
In July we hosted our annual Alumni Day for our Year 12 students. We are so grateful to our ex-students from around 5 to 10 years ago who produced a short video of their life from the start of Sixth Form to now and then came in for the day to talk to our students about their very different experiences. A real privilege to be part of this and observe the interactions.
The Sixth Form visited the Oxford Union in May for a debate on 'This House Believes International Climate Policy Is Neo-Imperialist’. It was a great opportunity for students to look around the Oxford Union and observe its 200 years of history as well as experiencing a detailed debate in the historic chamber. Valid points were made on both sides, followed by voting where it seemed that most people agreed with the motion.
In May we played a Basketball match against the Oxford Academy at home in a keenly fought match where we emerged victors with a score of 40-32.
In April we played a Rugby match against Wallingford School, at half time it looked like we might be suffering a terrible loss however in the second half we came out fighting and managed to win the match 12-10
In April we played a Netball match against Wallingford School which was very close with us narrowly losing.
In April our Mathematicians competed in the international Naboj competition at Abingdon School, where our A team finished as runners up, just one point behind the winners. Our two teams were also 12th and 17th in the UK and 183rd and 261st in the world out of 602! A tremendous achievement.
In March we played a football match against Wallingford and whilst we both put the same number of balls into the back of the net unfortunately our third one, scored with the last kick of the game, was judged to be offside and there was no VAR!
Cultural Trip to Paris
In February half term 50 sixth formers visited Paris for 3 days seeing the sights and experiencing Parisian life. We had a nighttime view of Paris from the tallest building in the city, the Montparnasse Tower, a night cruise on the River Seine, a tour of the Stade de France (Host for the Rugby World Cup and the Summer Olympics), an opportunity to visit the Louvre and Pompidou Centre as well as various other sights. Unfortunately the workers at the Eiffel Tower were on strike - c'est la vie!
Trip to White and Black Law Firm
In February students were given the opportunity to visit a law firm in Oxford. They got to speak to various employers and hear about their journey in the legal profession, to consider their own futures and to take part in mock interviews.
Trip to Trinity College, Oxford University
In February students attended a day at Trinity College, Oxford to find out about the Oxbridge application process, speak to current undergraduates, have a tour of the college and visit the Weston Library.
Sporting Success
On 6th December we visited Magdalen College School to play in a very competitive rugby match, securing a very respectable win of 17-7.
On 13th December we travelled to The Oxford Academy to play in a very competitive basketball match, which we narrowly won 57-50.
We are looking forward to playing more sporting fixtures and continuing our unbeaten streak!
Oxford Union Debate
15 Year 12 students visited the Oxford Union in June to have a tour of the Union and to hear a debate on 'This House believes that Net Zero will not be achieved by 2035'. Speakers included Prof Mike Berners Lee and the MPs Chris Skidmore and Philip Dunne.
Naboj International Maths Competition
Ten Year 12 students took part in this international competition at Cambridge University in April. One of our teams was in the top 10 and the other in the top 20. Globally there were over 450 teams competing - it ought to be noted that our positions were based on those competing in Southern England not those globally!
McLaren F1
Sixth Form students (along with some GCSE students) went to hear Ella Podmore from McLaren F1 talk about 'A day in the life of a supercar scientist' at Magdalen College School in April. Ella is a Senior Materials Engineer and was Young Woman Engineer of the Year 2020. Perhaps the greatest highlight was seeing the car that she arrived in, a Mclaren 750S that had been driven by Lando Norris around Monaco.
Collective Minds Gaming Event
A number of Sixth Form students have been helping out at the Big Data Institute looking into the way humans and machines coexist and collaborate. Their researchers were collaborating with two artists and our students to explore ethical and philosophical issues around emerging technologies for collective thinking. There will be an exhibition of the event in Oxford during May.
World Book Day
Sixth Form students were amazing in dressing up as book characters for World Book Day in March.
Trip to Paris
The Sixth Form visited Paris at February half term for a cultural trip. The highlights included going to the top of the Eiffel Tower, a river trip on the Seine aboard the Bateaux Mouches, a tour of the Stade de France (the French national stadium and the Olympic stadium for 2024), the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysées.
Thames Valley Police Ambassadors
In February three sixth formers were helping out the Thames Valley Police by discussing with over 200 school children from 20 schools across Buckinghamshire how to reduce crime and violence, further details are here.
Geography Field Trip
In January the Y12 Geographers braved the weather to travel to South Wales to take part in a week of field work to support their A Level studies.
Data Ethics
During the Autumn 14 of our Sixth Form were involved with the Thames Valley Police Violence Reduction Unit looking at the use of personal data by the Police. This culminated in a day at the University of Oxford's Ethox Centre where they debated proposals on the use of data and the concept of the contagion of violence amongst family, friends and acquaintances. They then presented their ideas to the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Director of the Violence Reduction Unit and the Commander of South & Vale Local Policing Area. Further details can be found here and here.
